DUPONT, Wash. — Timothy Brodigan does not remember the Dec. 18, 2017 Amtrak derailment, but he’ll never forget what doctors said after he survived the crash.
”What I got told was I would never walk, and that wasn't by one doctor, that was probably, like, by four different doctors,” said Brodigan.
He is proving those doctors wrong. Brodigan, with the help of a walker, is able to walk today.
“I think when they said that, it really, really motivated me at first,” said Brodigan, “OK, well, I'm going to prove you wrong.”
In 2017, the Amtrak train Brodigan was riding on was making its inaugural run southbound on the Point Defiance Bypass. The train, traveling at 82 miles per hour, derailed in DuPont when it reached a curve that was supposed to be taken at 30 mph, according to information from the National Transportation Safety Board.
Train cars came crashing down onto traffic below the bridge crossing southbound Interstate 5. Three passengers aboard the train were killed, and others aboard the train and in vehicles below were injured, many seriously.
The three people who died were Benjamin Gran, Jim Hamre, and Zack Willhoite.
Brodigan was one of dozens who suffered injuries. He suffered broken bones, had a collapsed lung, and his back broke in several places.
Brodigan settled his lawsuit against Amtrak, the State of Washington, and Sound Transit for an undisclosed amount. He wants to start a foundation to help teens who suffer serious injuries, hoping his story can inspire others.
Brodigan said he hopes to move from his walker to just using a cane soon, but he won’t be finished goal-setting then.
“I believe I'm going to run again, too,” said Brodigan.
In its final report, the NTSB faulted regional transit agency Sound Transit, which owns the line, for not sufficiently mitigating the danger of the sharp bend; Amtrak for not better training the engineer; the Washington State Department of Transportation for not ensuring the route was safe before green-lighting passenger train service; and the Federal Railroad Administration for allowing the use of rail cars that didn't meet updated safety standards.
Millions of dollars have been awarded to victims since the derailment.
Meanwhile, the Amtrak service suspended for four years resumed on Dec. 18, 2021.
Since the derailment, Amtrak said it and the Washington State Department of Transportation have activated positive train control on all rail corridors in Washington. This technology automatically slows or stops trains that are traveling above permitted speeds.
Amtrak also said it implemented a safety management plan to better train crew and mitigate risks.
Watch: Friend of Amtrak derailment victims reflect as service resumes